Leaves of Grass

Walt Whitman born today in 1819, one of the great American poets.

Sheep Cottage yarden

Rhododendron

Potentilla

New Dawn rose and blue clematis

Rosa Rugosa

The yarden at Sheep Cottage is both historical, i.e. inherited from previous gardeners and also new. These shrubs are planted by Jean many many years ago. I enjoy them immensely as I am planting a herb garden and recovering a small rock garden which divides two levels of my "croquet lawn". I am thinking mini-golf these days! Mainly I am planting herbs because there were none here and because I want to have them handy for cooking and drying and they are also very beautiful and fragrant. I always dreamed of having a herb garden and although this patch is small it is perfect for me.

She had a way of creating her garden and I am noticing and learning about it as the seasons pass. I feel as though I am getting to know her on a certain level.

Gardens of my life 1

I want to share some images from the gardens that I have enjoyed in my life on this blog.

First in New York City I loved going to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens at Easter time.

The blossoming trees and the leisurely walking through the various gardens was like healing balm for frayed city nerves. A Japanese garden, a Shakespearean herb garden, the Palm House. Year after year I visited BBG since my very first time when I went with Geoff and Bracken Hendricks to go to the cherry blossom orchard on a sunny May day and I promptly fell in love with the place.

JFK today

JFK and JFK Jr. Today is the formers birthday. What does this image make you think of?

Le Jardin des herbes

I am planting a herb garden here at Sheep Cottage with the waxing moon.

I have put in French tarragon, Sudbury rosemary, thyme, sweet marjoram, sage and seeds for chives a whole long row of them. Hidcote lavender by the milkchurn and the rosa canina. The milkchurn is the postbox inspired by a trip to Australia!

I have put down flat stones to step on and all this is in the sunniest location facing south and west.

I am hoping the fierce south westerly winds will let the garden settle in.

I can not imagine anything tastier than going outside to pick herbs for the cooking of that evenings meal!

I will put more in as the beds are getting prepared.

It is all shaping up albeit slowly and I am keeping the wilderness feel to the place. Well djungle really!

I have always dreamed of having a jardin des herbes and voila it is happening!

Silent Spring

Rachel Carson author of Silent Spring was born today in 1907 on a farm in Pennsylvania.

26 May 1926

MILES DAVIS was born. We just named our cool kitten Myles.